Saturday 28 February 2015

London Fashion Week A/W15 - Top 10

Burberry
Always the highlight of LFW, Christopher Bailey presented his latest Burberry collection titled 'Patchwork, Pattern and Prints'. Indian inspired mirrored-embroideries on chiffon dresses were particularly beautiful. Suede was a go to fabric of choice, reinventing the trench coat with whipstitched floral patches. Traditional Yorkshire quilting was a joy to see and the loose wood block style prints are set to be a huge print trend for A/W15. The embroidered, quilted and printed poncho with suede fringing is sure to be a season must have. 
Matthew Williamson
Inspired by horoscopes, Williamson looked to the colours of  zodiac birthstones as his starting point. Prints, as always, were exquisite and rich. I also need to mention some of my favourite accessories seen so far this season: Suede fringe boots by Biona Castana, Eyewear by Linda Farrow with metallic flowers on them, fur trimmed collars in dreamy colours and the most beautiful satin jewelled bags I think I have ever seen. Stunning from start to finish, this was another standout show from my favourite designer. Thank goodness for Matthew Williamson!
Julien MacDonald
With a jewel toned colour palette and metallic macramé, this was MacDonald doing what he knows how to do best - red carpet worthy fashion. Sheer panels, cut outs, fringing, lace - all the right components were there. The collection was dark and daring.
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
Vibrant floral and paisley prints with 70's vibes were highlights from this collection. My favourite runway look was the paisley dress with lace and eyelets, quite Pucci-esque. Patchwork and wool embroideries also featured heavily. Overall I loved the full collection.
Roksanda
Wow! Electric blue, orange, hot pink, fuchsia and aubergine, such a great use of colour. Signature colour blocking, this time in irregular swirling stripes. Oversized fur coats and scarves made a further bold statement. The metallic belts were consistent throughout the collection as well.
Christopher Kane
One of the most talked about collections seen at LFW this season. The sexual undercurrent that ran through this collection was clear to see. A largely blue and red colour palette, and materials including: velvet, chainmail, chiffon and leather, it was all very seductive. The final key looks in the collection were made from entire panels of Swiss lace, and were derived from sketches made in life drawing classes.
Peter Pilotto
Pinball prints, check. Chutes and Ladders print, check. This was such a fun collection. The silhouettes remained consistent and quite simple throughout - high necklines, cinched waists.
Erdem
Jacquard, tweed and lace were the main fabrics of choice, however my favourite look from the collection was a purple leather dress with embroidered cut-out details. All looks were teamed with riding boots designed by Nicholas Kirkwood.
David Koma
I loved the flared sleeves and skirts, circle waist cut outs and baroque inspired mesh panels. David Koma has been sticking to this formula for the past few seasons and I am enjoying watching the brand grow.
Antonio Berardi
Sculptured silhouettes, printed panels, neon pink, this was my kind of collection. I liked the abstract floral print on metallic fabric, very red carpet ready. Seriously killer boots completed the look.
Phillippa x

Monday 23 February 2015

87th Academy Awards - Red Carpet

The biggest award show of the year took place last night in Los Angeles - The 87th Academy Awards. As promised here is my review of the red carpet style. I have also included a few red carpet looks from the Vanity Fair after party.
Felicity Jones - Alexander McQueen / Lady Gaga - Alaia
Anna Faris and Chrissy Teigen - both wearing Zuhair Murad Spring 15 Couture
Laura Dern - Alberta Ferretti / Naomi Watts - Armani Prive
Chloe Grace Moretz - Miu Miu / Keira Knightley - Valentino Spring 15 Couture
Zoe Saldana - Atelier Versace / Kerry Washington - Miu Miu
Lupita Nyong'o - Calvin Klein / Jennifer Aniston - Atelier Versace Spring 15
Olivia Munn - Zac Posen Fall 15 / Scarlett Johansson - Atelier Versace
Emma Stone - Elie Saab Couture / Nicole Kidman - Louis Vuitton
Anna Kendrick - Thakoon / Gwyneth Paltrow - Ralph & Russo Spring 15 Couture / 
Amy Adams - Atelier Versace
Behati Prinsloo - Armani / Rosamund Pike - Givenchy Couture / Dakota Johnson - Saint Laurent
Solange  - Christian Siriano Fall 15 / Suki Waterhouse - Burberry / Diane Kruger - Donna Karen
Poppy Delevingne - Emilio Pucci / Hailee Steinfeld - Andrew Gn Pre Fall 15
 Marion Cotillard - Giambattista Valli Spring 15 Couture
Gigi Hadid - Versace Spring 15 Couture / Cate Blanchett - Maison Margiela
Sienna Miller - Oscar de la Renta Fall 15 / Margot Robbie - Saint Laurent
Julianne Moore - Chanel / Reese Witherspoon - Tom Ford
Jenna Dewan   - Zuhair Muard Spring 15 Couture / Marion Cotillard - Christian Dior Couture
My Best Dressed : Gwyneth Paltrow, Rosamund Pike, Sienna Miller, Felicity Jones and Lady Gaga

How about you?
Phillippa x

Sunday 22 February 2015

Independent Spirit Awards - Red Carpet

Last night the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards took place in Hollywood. This is the final award show before the main event, the Academy Awards, which takes place tonight. I spotted some notable runway favourites being worn on the red carpet, so here is a review of who attended and what they wore. Unlike the Academy Awards, the accepted dress code is more relaxed. This means we see more varied use of colour, print and length.
Marion Cottilard - Valentino Pre Fall 15 / Cate Blanchett -  Schiaparelli Spring 15 Couture
Olivia Munn - Prabal Gurung Fall 14
Jenny Slate - Mary Katrantzou / Rinko Kikuchi - Chanel
Emmy Rossum - Oscar de la Renta SS15 / Jena Malone - Ulyana Sergeenko Spring 15 Couture
Aubrey Plaza - Suno Pre Fall 15 / Gillian Jacobs - Preen Resort 15
 Julianne Moore - Christian Dior Spring 15 Couture
Carmen Ejogo - Roksanda Pre Fall 15 / Emma Stone - Monique Lhuillier Fall 15
Kerry Washington - Balenciaga Spring 15
Best Dressed: Cate Blanchett, Emmy Rossum and Emma Stone
Phillippa x

Friday 20 February 2015

New York Fashion Week A/W 15 - Top 10

Rodarte
Rodarte put their own mark on the theme 'disco'. Sequin striped dresses added the glam element to the collection whilst standout pieces were constructed using plumes of feathers, lace and embellishment.
Proenza Schouler
With several red carpet worthy dresses, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough showed a more technically advanced collection than previously seen. The slashed knit dresses will be a figure flattering go to dress, whilst the dresses with multi-fur fringes and black/white eyelets look set to be a red carpet and editorial favourite.
Altuzarra
Altuzarra's collection featured great use of fur, tweed, lace and leather. The final devore dresses were beautiful. The colour palette was very appropriate for the season.
Milly
Over at Milly, Michelle Smith's collections go from strength to strength each season. This time I adored the jewel colour palette, the neon pink being impossible to miss. Sculpted cocoon coats added volume to the 80's/Grace Jones inspired collection. I also loved the origami pullover.
Delpozo
Delpozo has been one on my most anticipated shows for the past couple of seasons. High-volume pieces were key to the collection, as were the pops of bright colour. The structured looks still remained feminine. The styling and the show setting had an almost Dior-esque feel to it.
Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang showed a predominantly black collection with plenty of edge. Japanese Lolitas, heavy metal and Goths were points of reference, as was the 90's. The collection had plenty of attitude, contributing factors of this included the use of hardware; silver chains and metal studs. The quilted skirts and velvet bodice were amongst my favourite looks.
Jason Wu
Jason Wu presented a beautiful collection of waist focused silhouettes. The pieces were streamlined and effortless using luxury fabrics including fox fur and matte crocodile.
Jonathan Simkhai
This season saw Simkhai make the move from presentation to runway. A bold move like these needed to be worthwhile, and it was. Signature mesh fabric was cut into interesting silhouettes, creating some of my favourite dresses as shown in New York this week. It was all very pretty and delicate, with some soft powder shades and caviar beading.
Herve Leger by Max Azria
Always built around the now instantly recognisable 'bandage' dress, each season the brand pushes this concept further and explores new themes. Gaudi was a major source of inspiration following a trip to Barcelona. I love the clashing colour and brave print.
Zimmermann
Clear 70's references were present at Zimmermann: the long billowing dresses, the vintage inspired paisley prints, the use of rust and merlot as colours of choice. Macramé inserts added boho vibes, as did the keyhole cuts.  I loved the overall feel of the collection.
I will be posting my LFW review at the end of next week. 
Phillippa x


Monday 16 February 2015

Current Music Playlist Favourites

I haven't posted a music playlist for some time, so I thought there is no time like the present to show you what I have been listening to on my iPod lately.
Taylor Swift - 1989
I have long been a fan of Taylor Swifts music and when she released her new album '1989' back in October, I admittedly became one of those people who heads straight to the shop on the release day to get a copy. This is my favourite record Taylor has released to date, and it has been playing on repeat ever since I bought it. Having spent 10 consecutive weeks at No.1 on the US Billboard chart, the tracks are catchy and heartfelt pop songs and you'll be singing them all day! I love that Taylor remains true to herself and does not compromise her integrity in order to conform to the industry. Favourite tracks from the record include: Style, Out Of The Woods, I Know Places, Wildest Dreams and You Are In Love. Here is the new video for the latest single 'Style', directed by Kyle Newman.
Sia - Elastic Heart
Starring Maddie Zeigler and Shia LaBeouf, I find the video for this track so captivating. Taken from the album '1000 Form of Fear' this song is the follow up to the smash hit 'Chandelier'. Until I heard this song I hadn't really listened to Sia before, but now her music is a firm favourite.
Rae Morris - Ungarded
I have been a fan of Rae Morris since 2011. I know I have featured Rae's music in my playlists on my blog before, however last month Rae released her debut album 'Ungarded'. 
Rae's music has previously been played during a Burberry runway show at LFW and she has recorded Burberry Acoustic sessions, so if you find her voice familiar this could be where you have heard her before. With fans including Haim and Bombay Bicycle Club (with whom she has worked with in the past), her status is set to rise this year. Rae has also been included on the BBC Sound of 2015 list. Here is the video for her new single 'Under The Shadows'.
Kotomi - The Last Time
I have BBC6 Music to thank for introducing me to this. You can download this from SoundCloud.


Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Ballad Of The Mighty

Phillippa x

Saturday 14 February 2015

Karlie Kloss & Taylor Swift - March Vogue

Take one of my favourite models and one of my favourite musicians and put them together on the cover of Vogue - sounds like a perfect idea to me! Yesterday it was revealed the Karlie Kloss and Taylor Swift would cover the March edition of Vogue Magazine. The pictures which appear to have been taken at Big Sur in California are whimsical and care free. Wearing Spring/Summer 15 runway collections from: Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Gucci, Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Alberta Ferretti, Marchesa, Oscar de la Renta and Saint Laurent. I just love the editorial and thought I would share some of the pictures with you.
Phillippa x

Thursday 12 February 2015

2015 amfAR New York Gala - Red Carpet

Last night, just prior to New York Fashion Week commencing, the amfAR New York Gala took place. Held at Cipriani Wall Street, the event was attended by some of the biggest names in fashion including top supermodels. Her is a quick roundup of some of the attendees outfits.
Toni Garrn - Elie Saab / Jessica Stam - Kaufmanfranco 
Melissa Bolona - Emilio Pucci SS15 / Heidi Klum - Azzaro Fall 14 Couture
Allie Rizzo - Milly SS15 / Aline Weber - Saint Laurent
Karlie Kloss - Mugler SS15 / Julia Restoin Roitfeld - Philipp Plein
Nicky Hilton - Valentino / Kendall Jenner - Romono Keveza Fall 14 / Iman - Balmain SS15
Coco Rocha - Zac Posen / Hailey Baldwin - Gabriela Cadena / Mia Moretti
Naomi Campbell - Balmain AW 13 / Eniko Mihalik / Josephine Skriver - Gabriela Cadena
Ivanka Trump - J. Mendel / Heather Marks - Cushnie et Ochs
Jacquelyn Jablonski - J. Mendel / Constance Jablonski - Valentino
My best dressed: Hailey Baldwin, Iman, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Jessica Stam
Who was your favourite at this event?
Phillippa x